Offaly hurlers target Antrim before badly needed week off
OFFALY will be targeting two more points in the National Hurling League Division 1B when Antrim come to Tullamore for round 3 next Sunday.
Still without some key injured players, Offaly's confidence received a very timely boost with a very good 1-24 to 1-15 win over Laois in Portlaoise last Sunday.
Apart from a few minutes coming up to half time when Laois got four unanswered points to lead by 0-11 to 0-9 at the break, Offaly were the better side the whole way. They turned in a particularly impressive second half display when they outscored Laois by 1-15 to 1-4 and they had the points wrapped up well before the final whistle.
It was a significant result against a side who have inflicted plenty of agony on Offaly in recent years. Offaly were disappointed to draw with Carlow in the first round, though the pain of that has been dulled by Carlow's excellent win over Waterford last Sunday. Carlow of course deserve complete respect but it was still a point dropped by Offaly, who failed to score in the last 11 minutes plus, despite having ample possession in good forward positions.
The table does have a distorted look at the moment due to postponements. Offaly are top on scoring difference from Carlow on 3 points while Dublin and Antrim have two and Waterford, Laois and Westmeath are pointless. However, Dublin, Waterford, Laois and Westmeath have only played one game and there is a long way to go in this league.
Sunday's win and the nature of it does change the outlook for Offaly. A defeat or a second draw would have placed considerable pressure on them and Offaly have their toughest games against Waterford and Dublin ahead of them.
They can dream though and Sunday's performance certainly gave encouragement that they could take a big scalp in the coming weeks. They need, however, to collect two more points off Antrim on Sunday and that will be far from an easy task. There has been very little between the two counties in recent years and it is only a short while ago when the northerners were punching at a higher level.
That gap has been more or less closed now and with outstanding U-20s now nailing down places, Offaly look set to push ahead in the coming years.
The performances of some of the 2024 All-Ireland U20 winners augurs well for the future. The older brigade, the lads now gone out of underage ranks, Cathal King, Colin Spain and Dan Bourke are adapting to senior intercounty hurling like fishes to water while the younger players, the ones defending their title in 2025, are also performing extremely well.
Already James Mahon looks an absolute natural at the highest level, a different type of player but a throw back to the legendary Martin Hanamy in the way he can go out and get the job done without fuss and so effectively.
Donal Shirley has adapted really well in a pivotal position at centre back. He may be moved elsewhere when Cillian Kiely returns but he will improve the whole time while Dan Ravenhill found his true form against Laois, looking a real class player. Another of this contingent, Adam Screeney is also a certainty for the team when he returns while Ben Conneely and Eoghan Cahill will further strengthen Offaly's hand down the road.
There is certainly plenty of grounds for optimism and Offaly would be in a very good league position if they can collect two more points on Sunday. They will then have a week off before travelling to Croke Park to face Dublin and that break is something that everyone will be looking forward to.